metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Arenite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and granular crystal structure with variable colors like pink, purple, or gray.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and granular crystal structure with variable colors like pink, purple, or gray.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone subjected to high heat and tectonic pressure over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction, road surfacing, manufacturing of silica bricks, and occasionally as decorative stone or lapidary material.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering and erosion, which is why quartz-rich ridges often form prominent mountain peaks.
Field identification & locations
Identify by testing hardness against glass and checking for fused quartz grains that do not break around individual sand grains. Found worldwide.
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